Football stars sign up for charity golf day in Milton Keynes

David Brennan

Footballing legends have signed up for a charity golf day in Milton Keynes.

Ian Wright, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Alan Smith, John Hartson, Ossie Ardiles, Rick Villa and Brian Horton will be among a host of retired and present day footballers who will participate in a golf day classic at Woburn golf course on Wenesday, May 7, to raise money for The I L Stein Foundation in support of local and South African charities.

Spectators are welcome to attend for a £20 donation. The matches commence at 10am and should finish around 4pm. Refreshments and drinks will be available.

The football stars have rallied to support the Stein brothers Brian, Edwin and Mark who have set up the foundation in honour of their parents Lillian and Isaiah who were stalwarts of the South African liberation movement. Lillian and Isaiah were both imprisoned before seeking asylum in the UK with their family. Isaiah was the first South African to placed under 24 hour house arrest and Lillian was blinded in one eye when she was tortured by the South African authorities.

The presence of former Luton manager David Pleat, Brian Horton, Andy Dibble, Steve Foster and a host of Luton and Arsenal players will rekindle memories of the 1988 League Cup Final, where underdogs, Luton beat, hot favourites, Arsenal 3-2 in a pulsating match in which brothers Brian and Mark starred for Luton. Brian’s two goals including the late winner have endeared him to the Luton fans and many consider him to be one of their greatest players.

The three Stein brothers excelled in the game. Edwin became the first, black manager in the English game when he was appointed manager of Barnet and went on to be assistant manager of Southend and Birmingham City. Brian had a distinguished career with Luton and became the only South African to play for England. Mark who played for Stoke and Chelsea, once held the record for the highest number of consecutive goals in the Premiership – seven.

Part of the proceeds from the Stein Classic will help fund a swimming pool and Soccer In The City in Woburn and Heatherdale Primary School in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Classic will be an 18 hole four ball match where the celebrity footballers will each host a team.

Edwin said on behalf of The Foundation and his brothers: “We are touched by the wonderful response from our football family and we are truly fortunate to be able to remember our parents by attempting to continue their work for the communities here and in South Africa.”